Introduction

Detroit Pistons

2003 NBA Draft

GM: Curtis Hill, NBA Disaster Consultant

Wow. For the first time in a while I get to work with a team that is a
whole lot closer to a NBA title than the first spot in the lottery. I
do feel badly that Jerry West was oh-so-close to a dream come true, but
Detroit fans have to be happy that the stars might align in the next year
or two in such a way that the Pistons might be called "NBA Champions" again.

While the #2 pick for the Pistons isn't much of a challenge this year, this
will be a very active and important off season for the Pistons. There is
going to be several roster moves and the picks at #25 and #58 are likely not
to be throwaways.

Detroit started making waves pre-draft, firing Rick Carlisle in favor of
Larry Brown. While it was a tough move, getting the Hall of Famer is going
to be a good move for the Pistons. He's a great teacher, works well with
younger players, and is hungry for his first NBA Championship.

Detroit needs a quality inside player and some help at backup guard and
wing. With picks at #2, #25, and #58, they have a good chance of filling
two of those needs.

rc = rookie contract, 1st round picks from 1995 and on are signed to 3
year contracts at a set range, with for picks from 1998 and on with a
4th year at the team's option

t-opt = team option year(s) (if team chooses, player will be under
contract for another year)

FA = year player becomes a free agent (year = summer of) [Note: For
players who have less than 3 years of experience (most noteably,
rookies), the players are restricted free agents - their team can match
any offer made to the player. 1st round draft picks who have completed
the 4th year of their rookie contract are also restricted free agents.]

The NBA salary cap is about 41 million dollars. The salary cap next season
will probably be between 41 and 43 million.

Detroit is in a position that they could have a nice salary slot open after
this season. A good season and Larry Brown's presence could mean a quality
player could join a very good team in 2004.

Current Team/Player Breakdown

Guards

Atkins, Chucky G 5-11 160 8/14/74 South Florida

Chucky is a solid player but with his salary and the improving play of
Chauncy Billups, most expect Chucky to be traded this offseason. With the
recent coaching change, I think this is a very likely scenario as Larry
Brown will be looking to find "his type" of players to bring to Detroit.

Billups, Chauncey G 6-3 202 9/25/76 Colorado

Maybe not a break out season for Chauncey, but certainly a very good year --
good enough that the Pistons can move Chucky Brown and look for a solid
backup instead.

Curry, Michael G 6-5 227 8/22/68 Georgia Southern

A player option FA, another player who will likely find himself traded over
the offseason.

Davis, Hubert G 6-5 183 5/13970 North Carolina

Hubert has one year left on his contract. I expect given his North Carolina
pedigree, Larry will keep Hubert around for the last year of his contract.
Hubert can provide some experienced backup at the guard spots and perhaps
mentor a guard if Detroit selects one at #25.

Barry, Jon G 6-5 210 7/25/69 Georgia Tech

Jon has game left, but given the current situation with the Pistons,
it is unlikely he will return, instead moving on as a FA.

Forwards/Swing Forwards

Hamilton, Richard G/F 6-7 193 2/14/78 Connecticut

Rip really busted out after getting out of Washington. Certainly a player
the Pistons expect to build around over the next few years and gives a coach
a little flexibility at the 2/3 spot. A FA next year and a key player for
the Pistons to re-sign.

Manning, Danny F 6-10 241 5/17/66 Kansas

This should be Danny's last year as a player. He might well return to the
bench, or at least the extended bench, as an assistant to Larry Brown, his
college coach. There has been a lot of talk that Danny wants to coach and
he allegedly lobbied hard for a spot on the KU bench in the wake of Roy
Williams' return to Chapel Hill. Working a year or two for Danny would be
the best training he could get if he wants to coach in the future.

Prince, Tayshaun F 6-9 215 2/28/80 Kentucky

A quiet regular season was followed by a break out performance in the
playoffs. I'm not 100% sold on Tayshaun as a NBA star, but I think he's
going to be very good at the least and a valuable offensive weapon. It will
be very interesting to see how Larry Brown uses Prince next season.

Centers/Power Forwards

Okur, Mehmet C 6-11 249 5/26/79 Turkey

Okur showed some promise this season. Detroit gets to keep Okur on the
cheap for the upcoming season. He'll certainly be playing for a bigger
money FA contract whether with Detroit or another team.

Rebraca, Zeljko C 7-0 257 4/9/72 Serbia-Montenegro

Rebraca is another player with plenty of promise. All indications are that
Detroit will stick with Rebraca for another season. Certainly his PPM
production in the regular season warrants an extended look.

Reid, Don F 6-8 255 12/30/73 Georgetown

A solid, veteran presence -- but a FA as well. I think he will be unlikely
to return to the Pistons unless Larry Brown or Joe Dumars has a fondness for
Reid.

Robinson, Clifford F 6-10 225 12/16/66 Connecticut

Another solid, veteran presence and, to me, the player the Pistons would
most like to trade solely for salary cap purposes. Easier said than done.
Clifford can still play a lot of minutes and if LB believes he can bust it
on both ends of the court I think he can get a lot of run next season.

Wallace, Ben F 6-9 240 9/10/74 Virginia Union

How can you not love Ben Wallace's game? What a great throwback player.
LB loves great defensive players and Ben Wallace should be a player LB
will enjoy coaching. A steadily improving offensive game is making Big
Ben even more dangerous.

Williamson, Corliss F 6-5 245 12/4/73 Arkansas

Corliss has certainly had a longer and more impressive NBA career than
I expected when he left college for The League. He changed his game to
suit the NBA style and has become a valuable and effective performer.
Expect Corliss to get plenty of opportunities next season to maximize
his effectiveness.

Team Needs

Detroit primarily needs more scoring options on the court, ideally in the
post as a compliment to Ben Wallace. Detroit is solid in the backcourt with
Billups and Hamilton. Wallace is solid whether he is at 4 or 5. Prince is
an emerging presence on the wing, though more help is be needed there.

Other needs depend on the roster moves the Pistons make over the summer.
However, it is likely that help will be needed in the backcourt in a reserve
roll and the #25 pick will focus on this need, though if an interesting
wing player is available that is a possibility.

Future Direction

There are many directions the Pistons can go in the future. Clearly, Larry
Brown is here to win "his" championship. However, this will not mean that
the Pistons will rely solely on veteran players. Look for Brown to bring in
one or two of "his" players -- players like Eric Snow and Derrick Coleman
are obvious, but don't forget someone like George Lynch. There will be
plenty of new names on the roster next season.

The Pistons, if they are smart and have a little bit of luck, will also clear
enough cap room to sign a "big name" FA in 2004. A solid 2003 campaign and
Larry Brown will make Detroit an attractive franchise for the 04 FA crop.

Detroit is also on the verge of having a good, solid young nucleus to build
around for the future and can be a legitimate NBA title contender for the
next several years. Heady times indeed for Joe Dumars and Larry Brown.

Draft Options

Unless someone unexpectedly falls in the draft or the Pistons have an
unexpected player they love available, the Pistons will likely be looking
to supplement their backcourt with the #25 pick. There are a host of
players, American and international, who could be the pick here. The
following is certainly not a complete list of possibilities.

Draft Pick

I think will all available information, the Pistons will be looking for
a guard with size at this pick. I think Delfino is the best choice
available for Detroit at this posiiton, providing a player with size who
will likely be able to play shooting guard, some point guard, and some wing.
He also has the potential to be an excellent defender. Very tough call
over Brian Cook, who is almost certainly not going to be on the board
at #25 on Thursday night.

What will the Pistons do?

This is not totally clear. If the Pistons think they can address their
guard needs through trades or FA signings, they will take the best player
available. If not, they will take the best guard available. This year,
it is pointless to read the future this deep into the draft.